Meg Ryan Reveals the Director Who Changed Her Career

There’s something rather special about finding a director who transforms the daily grind of filmmaking into something almost weightless. For Meg Ryan, whose career has seen her collaborate with a host of celebrated names, it’s clear that some partnerships leave a deeper impression than others. These days, Ryan has been stepping behind the camera herself, most recently with the 2023 romantic comedy What Happens Next?, where she also took on a leading role opposite David Duchovny. Her directorial style, by her own admission, owes much to the figures who shaped her earlier years on set.

Ryan’s filmography reads like a who’s who of late 20th-century cinema: Oliver Stone, Tony Scott, Rob Reiner, Jane Campion. Yet, when pressed to name the director who truly stood out, she singles out Nora Ephron. Their creative connection, especially within the world of romantic comedies, is hard to overstate. The pair’s first project together was 1989’s When Harry Met Sally…, with Ephron penning the script and Reiner directing. That film, now a touchstone of the genre, sparkled with Ephron’s sharp, emotionally intelligent writing, dissecting the endless debate about whether men and women can ever be just friends.

Romantic Comedies Redefined

It wasn’t long before Ephron moved into directing herself, and her most memorable work in that role came with two films that have since become synonymous with the golden age of the rom-com: Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail. Both starred Ryan and Tom Hanks, and both captured something ineffably warm and familiar about the search for love. Ryan’s performances in these films are often cited as the heart of their appeal, but it’s Ephron’s touch that gives them their lasting charm. Her approach to romance on screen was never saccharine; instead, she allowed her characters to be messy, sometimes exasperating, but always recognisably human.

Audiences found themselves rooting for these flawed individuals, perhaps because Ephron’s scripts reminded us that everyone, in their own way, is deserving of something genuine. The films radiate a sense of personal investment, as if Ephron herself was gently nudging her characters—and viewers—towards the possibility of happiness, however complicated the journey might be.

Atmosphere on Set

Reflecting on her time working with Ephron, Ryan has spoken candidly about the unique environment the director fostered. In an interview, she recalled,

“She just had such joy in creating them, and she loved being there so much. Those days would end, and you wouldn’t want the day to end. You wouldn’t want the movie to end.”

The sense of camaraderie and creative freedom was palpable, and Ryan is convinced the entire cast and crew felt the same reluctance to see the project wrap up.

“I’m pretty sure we all felt that way. We didn’t want it to be over. So it was about the environment and keeping it like that.”

It’s not just nostalgia talking; Ryan credits Ephron with creating a space where everyone felt encouraged to bring their best selves to the work. The director’s enthusiasm was infectious, and her ability to keep the mood light and collaborative made all the difference.

Keeping the Magic Alive

Ryan also referenced a remark from Hugh Grant, who once likened romantic comedies to a balloon in a world full of pins. She agreed wholeheartedly, noting that Ephron excelled at keeping the atmosphere buoyant and free from the usual pressures.

“And it’s true, like you don’t want it to be a world of pins. You want to keep the balloons floating in that. And Nora was great at that, keeping it pin-free.”

For Ryan, those experiences with Ephron weren’t just about making films—they were about preserving a sense of wonder and possibility, both on screen and off. It’s a legacy that continues to shape her own approach, whether she’s in front of the camera or calling the shots herself.